where would a nurse attorney work?

by Annabel Harvey 8 min read

Nurse attorneys use their experience to practice law in healthcare related contexts. They find employment in both legal and health settings, sometimes becoming attorneys at legal firms and other times working directly for healthcare providers.

Nurse lawyers can work for a variety of employers, including hospitals, law firms, private practices and insurance offices. Nurse lawyers hold both nursing and law degrees and use a wide range of skills to do their jobs successfully.Feb 22, 2021

Full Answer

What can you do with a nurse attorney degree?

Jul 06, 2017 · Where Do Nurse Attorneys Work? Nurse attorneys can work in either legal or healthcare settings. In legal settings, they may work in: Law firms; Private practice; Insurance companies; Government bodies; Freelance writing, publishing, or consulting (focus on law/litigation) In the healthcare setting, nurse attorneys can work in: Hospitals; Clinics; Education

Where do legal nurses work?

Oct 12, 2021 · Some go into academia, working at colleges and universities as professors. This career usually involves contributing to law journals and publishing research. Still other nurse lawyers might prefer to go into government, professional associations, or lobbying groups, focusing on medical regulations and policy.

What is the difference between a nurse consultant and a nurse attorney?

Feb 22, 2021 · Nurse lawyers are skilled professionals who use their experience in medicine and their knowledge of legal systems to ensure that a medical facility's patients are well cared for and to represent their employer during legal proceedings. Nurse lawyers can work for a variety of employers, including hospitals, law firms, private practices and insurance offices.

How long does it take to become a nurse lawyer?

A Nurse Attorney represents medical professionals in court, or works to change policies within the healthcare system. Become a Nurse Attorney Discover how Johnson & Johnson empowers nurse-led innovation.

See more

Nurse Attorney Job Description. A nurse attorney has many career possibilities to pursue. They might practice law on their own, specializing in health law, malpractice, or personal injury. They could work in a law firm, offering medical expertise for any relevant cases. They can also work in hospital administrations, insurance companies, or companies in the health care field.

image

What is a nurse attorney?

The American Association of Nurse Attorneys (TANAA) defines nurse attorneys as professionals "licensed to practice both nursing and law.". Johnson & Johnson provides another definition: "A nurse attorney represents medical professionals in court, or works to change policies within the healthcare system.". Nurse attorneys take on the important role ...

How long does it take to become a nurse attorney?

Nurse attorneys need a juris doctor (JD) in law, which usually takes three years to earn. Registered nurses with an associate degree cannot enroll in JD programs; instead, they need to complete an RN-to-BSN or RN-to-MSN program first.

What is nursing law?

Nursing law ecompasses many different roles and responsibilities, including representation of nurses and other health workers in court. Patients or other entities sometimes serve healthcare professionals with malpractice suits, and nurse attorneys may attend these professionals in court. Additionally, nurse attorneys might use their knowledge ...

Do nurses need continuing education?

Requirements for licensure vary by state, as do licensure renewal requirements. Nurse attorneys may need to participate in continuing education or practice a certain number of hours in order to renew their licenses. Aspiring professionals should check with their state boards of licensure for specific rules.

What is a nurse lawyer?

Nurse lawyers are skilled professionals who use their experience in medicine and their knowledge of legal systems to ensure that a medical facility's patients are well cared for and to represent their employer during legal proceedings. Nurse lawyers can work for a variety of employers, including hospitals, law firms, ...

How much does a nurse lawyer make?

In the United States, the average salary for a nurse attorney is $80,699 per year. Some salaries can range from $21,000 to $177,000 annually.

What do nurses study?

Nursing students study a variety of subjects, including patient care, medical terminology and medical ethics. Nursing programs also require students to participate in practical labs and clinicals which test the students' ability to apply their knowledge. 2. Pass the NCLEX.

What is the NCLEX exam?

The NCLEX is a comprehensive knowledge test that determines whether or not aspiring nurses are adequately prepared to practice medicine professionally.

How many questions are asked on the NCLEX?

The exam is multiple-choice and test-takers must answer between 75 and 265 questions, depending on their performance in the first section.

How often do you need to renew your nurse practitioner license?

Registered nurse and nurse practitioner licenses are distributed by each state's Board of Nursing and must be renewed every five years. Some states require that nurses participate in continuing education programs in order to keep their licenses updated. 4. Gain experience.

What is the LSAT test?

The LSAT assesses each test-takers' skills in analytical reasoning, critical reading, persuasive writing and logical reasoning. The test is comprised of two parts: a multiple-choice exam administered either in a testing center or digitally and a written essay that is submitted online. 6. Earn a law degree.

Assessment

You’ll review medical records and analyze personal injury and insurance claims.

Editorial

You’ll also work as a writer or editor for professional nursing and legal journals.

Education

You’ll teach healthcare staff about the rules and regulations associated with their job.

Representation

You’ll represent healthcare providers in malpractice cases and lobby for change in the healthcare industry.

01

Get an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

03

Work as a Registered Nurse, gaining clinical experience before applying to law school.

05

Get your Juris Doctor degree (JD) and pass your State Bar Licensing Exam.

Nurse Attorney Job Description

A nurse attorney has many career possibilities to pursue. They might practice law on their own, specializing in health law, malpractice, or personal injury. They could work in a law firm, offering medical expertise for any relevant cases. They can also work in hospital administrations, insurance companies, or companies in the health care field.

Job Outlook and Salaries for Nurse Attorneys

The combination of these specialties is becoming increasingly important as our society becomes more litigious and there are an increasing number of laws regulating the medical professions and insurance coverage.

What is a legal nurse?

Legal nurses' unique roles include analysts, collaborators, educators, researchers, and strategists. They function as consultants at the crossroads of healthcare and law, offering expertise in nursing, medicine, and healthcare systems.

What is the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants?

In addition to offering LNCC credentials, the AALNC supports its members with a career center, free webinars, local chapters, publications, and discounted professional liability insurance. Non-members can access AALNC's bookstore and education products free of charge.

How much does a legal nurse consultant make?

Legal nurse consultant job listings on Indeed include positions paying more than $80,000 for legal nurse consultants with three years of experience.

Is there a demand for legal nurse consultants?

The demand for legal nurse consultants remains high due to their medical expertise. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 7% increase in RN positions from 2019 to 2029, outpacing the 4% national average for all occupations.

What is the NACLNC?

National Alliance of Certified Legal Nurse Consultants. As the largest and oldest organization of legal nurse consultants, NACLNC comprises a network of certified legal nurse consultants (CLNC) trained at the Vickie Milazzo Institute.

What is a legal nurse consultant?

Legal nurse consultants fulfill a unique role in bridging the gap between the legal process, healthcare science, and patient outcomes. Legal nurse consultants work in many settings, including independent consulting practices, insurance companies, and legal firms, to name a few.

Is a LNC required to become a legal nurse?

Although it is not required, LNCs who wish to demonstrate their commitment to the profession and best practices in legal nurse consulting may decide to become certified as an LNC through the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants (AALNC).

How much does a nurse consultant make?

The median annual salary for registered nurses was $73,300 per year as of May 2019, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

What is the NCLEX exam?

The NCLEX is a nationwide examination for the licensing of nurses in the United States and Canada. Once you pass this exam, you may apply for your first nursing job. Legal nurse consultants need to have a solid clinical nursing background so that they have an understanding of the medical nuances involved in cases.

What Is a Legal Nurse Consultant?

Healthcare is a complex system with very strict regulations in place, which means attorneys won’t always have sufficient knowledge about medical protocols when handling a medical malpractice lawsuit or similar case involving a healthcare provider. This is where a legal nurse consultant comes in.

What Does a Legal Nurse Consultant Do?

The specifics of a legal nurse consultant’s duties will vary based on the case they are consulting on. However, generally speaking, their typical day-to-day duties may include:

What Education Does a Legal Nurse Consultant Need?

A legal nurse consultant must be a registered nurse . Therefore, the education credentials for a legal nurse consultant depend on the requirements to become a registered nurse in your state.

Compare nursing degree options

There are BSN degree options to choose from. Compare them to find the best fit for you.

How Much Do Legal Nurse Consultants Make?

Government entities such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics do not report on the salaries of legal nurse consultants. However, according to Payscale, the median hourly pay for legal nurse consultants was approximately $49 (roughly $102,000 annually) as of March of 2021.

What Is the Projected Job Growth?

There are no concrete reports on the job outlook for legal nurse consultants, as the career can be approached in so many different ways. However, the BLS reports that demand for RNs was expected to grow by 7% from 2019 to 2029; and lawsuits that involve medical matters are not likely to go away anytime soon.

Where Do Legal Nurse Consultants Work?

Legal nurse consultants may operate on an independent basis or through an organization such as an insurance agency or legal firm. The entities that they work for and their contractual obligations to those entities can vary widely.

What is the role of RN?

The RN works "at bedside" in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team and his/her primary role is to work "hands-on" with a patient. This RN works directly with patients, performing various tasks.

Is nursing for everyone?

Nursing is not for everyone. It takes a very strong, intelligent, and compassionate person to take on the ills of the world with passion and purpose and work to maintain the health and well-being of the planet. No wonder we're exhausted at the end of the day! Donna Wilk Cardillo.

What is the greatest aspect of nursing?

One of the greatest aspects of nursing as a profession is the ability to work in many types of environments and in many different roles. It is a field which is constantly evolving.

What is charge nursing?

Charge nurses supervise the staff nurses in hospital wards and busy medical facilities. They provide staff guidance, set schedules, maintain supplies, and oversee patient education and care. Charge nurses also treat patients themselves, and often take control when a medical emergency is presented.

What is dermatology nursing?

Dermatology nurses provide care and treatment for patients with a variety of skin conditions and diseases such as psoriasis, skin cancer and acne. In addition to assisting with skin examinations, dermatology nurses also perform many cosmetic dermatology treatments such as chemical peels. In response to the increase in skin cancer in the United States, many dermatology nurses focus on early detection, treatment and patient education on how to prevent skin cancer. A wide and varied field, there is a wealth of career opportunities for dermatology nurses.

What is a nursing director?

Nursing Directors, also known as Directors of Nursing (DON), are RNs who assume responsibility in an administrative capacity combing years of clinical nursing experience, education, and managerial skills to develop organizational structure and standards of care.

What is forensic nursing?

Forensic nurses are specially trained to care for victims of trauma and abuse. In addition to treating these patients, they work alongside law enforcement to collect evidence, photograph injuries, and even testify in court if necessary. They can work in hospitals, usually in trauma or ER wards, or assist coroners and medical examiners.

image